BCM Win French Leaders Cup

Ludovic Vaty was named MVP of the Disneyland Paris Leaders Cup LNB 2013

BCM Gravelines Dunkerque claimed the first title of the season in France on Sunday, with a 77-69 triumph over Strasbourg in the final of the Disneyland Paris Leaders Cup LNB 2013 (previously Semaine des As).

The EuroChallenge side established their control on the encounter right from tip-off and while they never extended their lead to a two-digit figure at any point, they managed to maintain a comfy cushion until the final buzzer.

The French big man had 14 points, five rebounds and three blocks to cap off an excellent display in the three games of the cup competition and earn MVP honours.

The 25-year-old, who was an international with Les Bleus at U20 and U18 level, was asked whether he thought that his stellar performance throughout the event made him a candidate to join the French team at EuroBasket 2013 and replied he 'always kept France in a corner of his mind.'

"[Right now] I'm happy, we will feel the fatigue tomorrow or the day after tomorrow," Vaty added.

"Our aggressive defence made the difference [in the final]. Our rotations are one of our strengths.

"Last year, we had put a lot of pressure. This year, we took the matches one after the other.

"We had to take revenge because they had beaten us at home," he admitted, in reference to BCM's recent loss to Strasbourg in French Cup action.

"Ludovic Vaty came to us at a difficult time, our medical staff has done a great job with him," commented BCM head coach Christian Monschau.

"With us, he improved on his game with his back to the basket and his work is paying off this season."

To reach the Sunday title game, BCM had defeated Lyon 78-69 in the quarter-final on Friday and dispatched Le Mans 70-60 in Saturday's semi-final.

The other French EuroChallenge side meanwhile, Paris Levallois, had edged out last season's champions Elan Chalon 79-75 in their quarter-final clash, but fell 77-63 to Strasbourg in the semi-final.

Sean May led Paris to victory in the quarter-final with a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds but had a discreet night in the semi-final, where Antoine Diot finished with 20 points in a losing effort.